Port Vale have bolstered their attack for the 2026‑27 campaign, securing winger Onel Hernandez and strikers Mo Faal and Oliver Lynch on permanent deals. The trio arrives as Vale sit 22nd in League One with 42 points from 46 games, a record of 10W‑12D‑24L and recent form LWLLD.

Who are the new forwards?

Onel Hernandez, 33, returns on a one‑year contract after a short‑term spell that ended last season. The Cuban ex‑Norwich City Premier League player made 11 appearances in his first Vale stint. Mo Faal, 23, joins after a loan from Wrexham where he netted three times in 23 games; he previously featured for West Bromwich Albion and had lower‑league loans at Doncaster and Walsall. Oliver Lynch, 21, steps up from non‑league after scoring 11 in 18 for Hemel Hempstead and 12 for Tamworth, becoming the Lambs’ top scorer.

Why do the signings matter?

Vale managed only 36 goals while conceding 61 last season, a –25 goal difference that left them 61 points behind leaders Lincoln. Adding experience and youth aims to lift a side that finished 22nd and was relegated to League Two. The new forwards give manager Jon Brady more options after a 0‑2 loss to Lincoln on 2026‑05‑02, a result that highlighted the need for firepower.

How will the new attack fit in?

Jon Brady’s squad already includes defender Jasper Moon, goalkeepers Jackson Smith and Mason Terry, and midfielders Matthew Craig and Kyle Dempsey. Hernandez brings Premier League pedigree, Faal offers pace and a proven goal‑scoring record at lower levels, while Lynch adds a hunger from non‑league success. Their combined experience could turn Vale’s recent form – two wins, three losses in the last five (LLWWL) – into a more consistent threat.

What’s next for Vale?

The club’s immediate challenge is to stop the slide that saw them finish 22nd and to close the 61‑point gap to the top. With the new signings integrated during pre‑season, Vale will look to improve on the 36 goals they managed last term. Fans will be watching closely as the trio aims to deliver the goals needed to climb the table and avoid another relegation battle.